Srinagar/Jammu, Aug 29: In a groundbreaking announcement, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha proudly revealed that the region has achieved a remarkable milestone by offering 1016 citizen-centric services in an online format, propelling Jammu and Kashmir to the forefront among all States and Union Territories in terms of digital service provision.
“This achievement signifies a significant benchmark in e-Governance Service Delivery, solidifying J&K’s dedication to prioritizing citizens and empowering them through technology. The extraordinary progress reflects our ambition to transform the social landscape, enhance citizen satisfaction, establish transparent and accountable systems, and empower the youth and women of the region,” Lieutenant Governor said.
It was informed that J&K has overtaken MP to become number one amongst States / UTs in the country in the number of online services provided to citizens. Under the Digital J&K programme launched in mission mode last year, the number of online services has increased exponentially from 174 services in July, 2022 to 1016 services as on date with nearly 500 percent increase in just one year.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha lauded the unprecedented digital journey of J&K, which has rapidly evolved from an e-governance underachiever to a trailblazer in an impressively short span of time. This shift has ushered in enhanced transparency, accountability, and efficiency across all levels of administration.
The Lt Governor highlighted, “the widespread adoption of a robust e-Governance model, centered around citizens, has been pivotal in propelling the surge in online services. The integration with platforms such as Digilocker, Aadhaar, and e-payment/SMS Gateways has not only improved convenience but also eliminated the need for physical visits to government offices, providing services round the clock.”
The government’s dedication to this endeavour is underscored by the recent amendment of the Public Services Guarantee Act (PSGA), 2011, bringing online services under its ambit. Notably, around 300 services now operate under an auto-escalation mechanism, ensuring time-bound service delivery and penalties for any delays.
Taking a significant step towards mobile governance, the newly launched ‘Mobile Dost’ mobile application facilitates access to all online services through smartphones, boasting a user-friendly bilingual interface. In another stride towards digital inclusion, ‘Digi-Dost’ has been introduced, enabling doorstep delivery of citizen-centric services through the widespread Common Services Centres (CSC).
The Lt Governor commended the collective efforts of all government departments in developing, designing, and deploying these online services, with special mention to the IT Department, JaKeGA, and NIC for their pivotal roles in spearheading the Digital J&K mission. He stressed the importance of continuous assessment of citizen feedback and quality monitoring of services.
Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, urged officials to identify areas ripe for online service expansion, thus fostering social transformation and transparency. He also directed the launch of an intensive IEC (Information, Education, Communication) campaign to raise public awareness about digital initiatives and drive higher adoption of online services.
